Frequently Asked Questions

How old do you have to be to volunteer?

All ReStore and construction volunteers must be 16 or older. Volunteers between 16 and 18 will not be allowed to use power tools or work more than 6' in the air, and they will be designated by wearing a red name tag. Those under 16 can help with signing in volunteers and serving food (while not directly on the construction site). They can also help at special events and in the office with mailings.

How will I know if my volunteer shift is canceled?

On the day of the shift, check Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity’s home page to see if your shift has been delayed or canceled due to inclement weather.

What should I wear to volunteer?

• Construction Site

Wear weather-appropriate clothing and closed-toed shoes. Tennis shoes are okay, but sandals are not allowed. Please dress weather-appropriate and in layers. If it’s rainy or muddy, bring an extra pair of shoes to change into and a plastic sack for your dirty shoes.

• ReStore

The ReStore is not a controlled environment; when it’s cold outside, it’s cold in the ReStore, and when it’s hot outside, it’s hot in the ReStore. Please keep this in mind when dressing for your shift. Coats and hats are recommended in the winter.

Be sure to wear close-toed shoes and wear clothing appropriate for a family-friendly environment. No obscene or drug-related logos or print or revealing clothing will be allowed.

• Office

Dress code is office casual. Blue jeans and a nice top with close-toed shoes are suggested.

What if I can't work the entire shift?

Although we highly encourage all volunteers to arrive at their shifts on time and stay until the end of the shift, we realize other commitments may come up and understand if you need to arrive late or leave early. Please be sure to inform the volunteer coordinator ahead of time if you will be arriving late or leaving early so we can plan appropriately.

What if I have to cancel my volunteer shift?

Simply sign back into the volunteer registration page and cancel your shift.

Construction-Specific FAQs

Do I need to have prior experience to volunteer?

Absolutely not; everyone is welcome, no matter if you are seasoned or inexperienced in construction. As long as you have a great attitude and are ready to have fun, our construction supervisors will help you along the way!

*We encourage all first-time construction volunteers to take the online volunteer safety training course before they build with us.

Should I bring anything?

We provide all necessary tools. However, we encourage you to bring any work gloves, tool belts, or tools if you have them. If you choose to bring your own tools we encourage you to mark them and keep track of them. IVHFH is not responsible for lost tools.  We'll also have water and snacks on-site, thanks to the generous support of UNFI. Feel free to bring any additional food or drinks that you'd like, as we do not serve lunch during our normal volunteer shifts.

What should I do once I get to the build site?

Sign in! Even though you have registered online we have no way of tracking your volunteer hours unless you sign in at the build site. It's important that all volunteers sign in for each shift they work so our records are accurate.

Once you sign in, a construction supervisor or volunteer coordinator will orient you on the tasks ahead. All construction volunteers are required to read our Safety Manual. If you haven't done so, please ask to read a copy of this document once you’ve signed in.